2017 petroleum block offer launched
Harm -7What happened
Energy Minister Judith Collins launched Block Offer 2017, tendering petroleum exploration permits across ~482,000 km² including new onshore Southland and near-shore Hawke's Bay areas.
Why it matters
Active promotion of new fossil exploration despite Paris commitments.
Impact assessment
Actively promoted new petroleum exploration over a very large acreage, raising fossil lock-in risk. Low industry uptake in a weak price environment does not erase the harmful policy framework.
Limitations: Only one permit granted that cycle; score reflects the decision design and foreseeable incentive, not ex-post drilling volumes alone.
Attribution
sole (high confidence) -National
Ministerial block-offer decision and launch.
Coalition period: National-led government (ACT confidence & supply) (20 September 2014 - 26 October 2017)